Thus, high solar radiation in the tropics contributes to the carbon and water cycles
and carbon and water stocks (i.e., reservoirs). Trees are key to the connection of
carbon and water. Here, we hypothesize that the high solar radiation in the tropics
creates a mechanism by which water, plants, and carbon are linked.
In the Indonesian Maritime Continent (IMC), the water–plant–carbon linkage is
stronger and larger than in other regions, which causes the occurrence of the largest
tropical peatland on the fringe of the IMC.
Therefore, the function of the water–plant–carbon linkage is to disperse, cycle,
stock, and recycle the high solar energy of the tropics. The water–plant–carbon
linkage envelopes solar energy into an ecosystem; in other words, the Envelopment
Mechanism maintains solar energy through the water–plant–carbon linkage.
Harvested Sun Energy and Sun Harvesting Energy In the past, fossil fuels were
produced by high levels of solar radiation through a modified water–plant–carbon
linkage, which is why they are called sun-harvested materials herein. Societies
dependent on these sun-harvested materials are called harvested sun societies.
Until now, the high solar radiation in the tropics has been the mechanism driving
the water–plant–carbon linkage. When we depend on this linkage, which has very
high energy, we temporarily use large amounts of solar radiation, which is referred to
as sun harvesting. Societies dependent on this sun harvesting system are called
Harvesting Sun Societies.
The Harvested Sun Society is a type of resource capital-based society, driven by
what we call Development Mechanisms.
The harvesting sun society is one kind of natural capital-based society, driven by
what we call Envelopment Mechanisms. High solar radiation in the tropics enhances
the water–plant–carbon linkage through the water–carbon cycle and water and
carbon stocks, which is similar to the concept of Envelopment Mechanisms.
Envelopment Mechanisms vs Development Mechanisms Here, we propose new
mechanisms for managing earth’s resources called Envelopment Mechanisms.
Envelopment Mechanisms are focused in the tropical zone, where there is a high
potential for natural capital even in devasted areas. The temperate zone has lost
natural capital due to developed land, and it is almost impossible to recover the
natural capital in this area. Similarly, it is difficult to recover natural capital in the
boreal zone, which was once deforested, because of the low temperature.
Temperate zones have been developed mainly through Development Mechanisms; these mechanisms were first applied at the region scale and have since been
applied at the global scale.
Development Mechanisms are described as follows (Fig. 6.17, left). Energy is
derived mainly from fossil fuels. Using fossil fuels, all the natural resources, which
form the natural capital, are developed or exploited and manufactured; this process
drives the development of material assets and cash flows. Thus, as societies that rely
on Development Mechanisms are dependent on energy from fossil fuels, herein, they
are called Harvested Sun Societies, because of the process by which the sun’s energy
was fixed (i.e., harvested) long ago. As these Harvested Sun Societies use mainly
fossil fuels, CO 2 emissions (i.e., carbon emissions to the atmosphere) increase,
6 Natural Capital-Based Societies in the Tropics
237
and carbon and water stocks (i.e., reservoirs). Trees are key to the connection of
carbon and water. Here, we hypothesize that the high solar radiation in the tropics
creates a mechanism by which water, plants, and carbon are linked.
In the Indonesian Maritime Continent (IMC), the water–plant–carbon linkage is
stronger and larger than in other regions, which causes the occurrence of the largest
tropical peatland on the fringe of the IMC.
Therefore, the function of the water–plant–carbon linkage is to disperse, cycle,
stock, and recycle the high solar energy of the tropics. The water–plant–carbon
linkage envelopes solar energy into an ecosystem; in other words, the Envelopment
Mechanism maintains solar energy through the water–plant–carbon linkage.
Harvested Sun Energy and Sun Harvesting Energy In the past, fossil fuels were
produced by high levels of solar radiation through a modified water–plant–carbon
linkage, which is why they are called sun-harvested materials herein. Societies
dependent on these sun-harvested materials are called harvested sun societies.
Until now, the high solar radiation in the tropics has been the mechanism driving
the water–plant–carbon linkage. When we depend on this linkage, which has very
high energy, we temporarily use large amounts of solar radiation, which is referred to
as sun harvesting. Societies dependent on this sun harvesting system are called
Harvesting Sun Societies.
The Harvested Sun Society is a type of resource capital-based society, driven by
what we call Development Mechanisms.
The harvesting sun society is one kind of natural capital-based society, driven by
what we call Envelopment Mechanisms. High solar radiation in the tropics enhances
the water–plant–carbon linkage through the water–carbon cycle and water and
carbon stocks, which is similar to the concept of Envelopment Mechanisms.
Envelopment Mechanisms vs Development Mechanisms Here, we propose new
mechanisms for managing earth’s resources called Envelopment Mechanisms.
Envelopment Mechanisms are focused in the tropical zone, where there is a high
potential for natural capital even in devasted areas. The temperate zone has lost
natural capital due to developed land, and it is almost impossible to recover the
natural capital in this area. Similarly, it is difficult to recover natural capital in the
boreal zone, which was once deforested, because of the low temperature.
Temperate zones have been developed mainly through Development Mechanisms; these mechanisms were first applied at the region scale and have since been
applied at the global scale.
Development Mechanisms are described as follows (Fig. 6.17, left). Energy is
derived mainly from fossil fuels. Using fossil fuels, all the natural resources, which
form the natural capital, are developed or exploited and manufactured; this process
drives the development of material assets and cash flows. Thus, as societies that rely
on Development Mechanisms are dependent on energy from fossil fuels, herein, they
are called Harvested Sun Societies, because of the process by which the sun’s energy
was fixed (i.e., harvested) long ago. As these Harvested Sun Societies use mainly
fossil fuels, CO 2 emissions (i.e., carbon emissions to the atmosphere) increase,
6 Natural Capital-Based Societies in the Tropics
237